Jennifer Grey Outscores Competition on DWTS

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In this publicity image released by ABC, Jennifer Grey, right, and her partner Derek Hough rehearse for "Dancing with the Stars," premiering Monday, Sept. 20, 2010 on ABC.

It’s been 23 years since “Dirty Dancing,” but Jennifer Grey still has it.

On Monday’s two-hour season premiere of “Dancing with the Stars,” the veteran actress and her pro partner Derek Hough earned the highest scores of the night, performing a Viennese waltz to the tune of “These Arms of Mine.”

“Baby is back where she belongs,” exclaimed “Dancing” judge Bruno Tonioli after the performance.

It was a reference to Baby Houseman, the character Grey played opposite the late Patrick Swayze in “Dirty Dancing.” During a DWTS rehearsal, Grey, 50, was shown overcome with emotion as memories of working with Swayze were dredged up by Hough’s song choice from the 1987 film's soundtrack.

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The pair went on to earn 24 points out of 30 from the show’s three judges, with panelist Carrie Ann Inaba getting teary-eyed during her critique.

“Something very profound just happened,” Inaba said. “Some things get better with age. I think you’re one of them.”

Brandy, the R&B singer, and Disney Channel star Kyle Massey tied for second place with 23 points each.

“I think that was very acceptable for week one,” said Len Goodman after Palin ripped off a suit to reveal a sexy red dress as she strutted the cha cha cha. “Just need to loosen up a little bit. You’re nervous.”

Palin, whose famous mom was not in the audience, had earlier said that she’d connected with the Tom Jones song “Mama Told Me Not to Come” her partner had chosen for the dance.

“It’s like Levi and my relationship. Mama told me not to do it. But I did it anyway,” she said of her ex.

Other celebrities who performed on the season 11 premiere were “Brady Bunch” star Florence Henderson, ex-“Hills” star Audrina Partridge and singer Michael Bolton.

The first celebrity to get the ax as a result of their low scores and audience votes will be revealed Tuesday on ABC.